Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya disease is a rare disorder in which arteries in the brain get very narrow, reducing blood flow. Left untreated, the condition can lead to a stroke or what’s known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini-stroke.

Overview

Symptoms

Moyamoya disease symptoms may include:

Changes in vision or other senses

Difficulty thinking clearly or learning

Headaches

Involuntary movements

Seizures

Temporary weakness in an arm or leg, which is often triggered by activity or stress (including crying)

It’s also important to recognize the symptoms of stroke, which include:

Weakness in a limb

Difficulty speaking

Partial or complete blindness

Problems with balance

If you have a TIA, you may experience stroke symptoms, but they will go away after a short time.

Diagnosis

First, you’ll meet with your doctor for a physical exam and to discuss your symptoms and family history. Your doctor may also order one of the following tests:

CT scan

MRI

Angiogram: A special dye is injected into the bloodstream, which offers a better view of the arteries. When combined with an MRI, the test is called magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA); when combined with a CT scan, it’s a computed tomographic angiogram (CTA).

Electroencephalography (EEG): Moyamoya disease often causes a distinctive brainwave pattern in children. This test measures the electrical activity in the brain.

Positron emission topography (PET): A radioactive dye is injected into the body and then monitored as it makes its way through the blood vessels.

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